Companies in Bradford have the opportunity to manufacture or supply components for a 21st century naval gun.

A hundred Northern defence businesses, including dozens from the Yorkshire area, were told about the £1 billion Ministry of Defence contract at a conference on Wednesday.

The new gun on futuristic naval destroyers, which will be built by British Aerospace, would replace outdated Royal Navy guns which date back to the Cold War.

Now Northern Defence Industries Ltd, a non-profit making organisation which promotes northern aerospace, marine, electronic systems and land systems businesses, is asking for manufacturers and suppliers to contact them as soon as possible.

David Bowles, chief executive of NDI, said: "This business is there for the taking. It will create and sustain high skills engineering jobs for up to 30 years.

"This project could be a £1 billion boost for the North but we need companies to step forward and ask for the business."

Two American companies United Defense and Raytheon, which have plants in the UK, are bidding for the Royal Navy's future Type 45 destroyers' new guns.

A similar project in the US involved 300 subcontractors supplying about 15,000 different components.

Companies like Osborn Steel Extrusions Ltd in Low Moor, which makes parts for armour-plated vehicles, hope to benefit from membership of Northern Defence Industries.

Sales manager Dave Bilston said: "We hope it will offer us great business opportunities in the future."

The Northern Defence Industries is holding a conference at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Tuesday, March 18, to encourage more Yorkshire businesses to join and benefit from future international business opportunities. Ring Maria Connelly on (0191) 5166680.

Any companies interested in the gun contract should e-mail naval.gun@north-house.com.